Template and method of fabricating rafters

Abstract

A template and method for fabricating rafters. The template including a U-shaped component including a first arm with a slot, a second arm with a slot, and a base perpendicular to and connecting the first and second arms. The template also including an adjustable main arm slidably connected to the first and second arms of the U-shaped component, a seat rotatably connected to the base arm of the U-shaped component, and a ridge arm rotatably connected to a first end of the main arm. The template also includes a fascia arm rotatably connected to a second end of the main arm, and a soffit arm slidably connected to the fascia arm.

1. A template for measuring a rafter of a roof comprising:
 a U-shaped component including,
 a first arm with a slot, 
 a second arm with a slot, and 
 a base perpendicular to and connecting the first and second arms; 
 
 an adjustable main arm slidably connected to the first and second arms of the U-shaped component; 
 a seat rotatably connected to the base arm of the U-shaped component; 
 a ridge arm rotatably connected to a first end of the main arm; 
 a fascia arm rotatably connected to a second end of the main arm; and 
 a soffit arm slidably connected to the fascia arm. 
 
   
   
     2. The template of  claim 1 , wherein the main arm comprises a plurality of extensions. 
   
   
     3. The template of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of extensions are slidably adjustable. 
   
   
     4. The template of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is adapted to rest on a structural wall of a building and to be a template for a bird's mouth cut in the rafter. 
   
   
     5. The template of  claim 1 , wherein the fascia arm delineates the tail end cut of the rafter. 
   
   
     6. The template of  claim 1 , wherein the soffit arm delineates the soffit cut of the rafter. 
   
   
     7. The template of  claim 1 , wherein the ridge arm delineates the ridge cut of the rafter. 
   
   
     8. The template of  claim 1 , further comprising a level in the ridge arm, the fascia arm, the soffit arm or any combination of arms thereof. 
   
   
     9. The template of  claim 1 , further comprising locking mechanisms to keep the arms of the template in place. 
   
   
     10. The template of  claim 2 , further comprising a linear scale on the main arm, the main extensions, the first arm of the U-shaped component, the second arm of the U-shaped component, the fascia arm, the soffit arm, or any combination thereof. 
   
   
     11. The template of  claim 1 , further comprising an angular scale on the base of the U-shaped component, the fascia arm, the ridge arm or any combination thereof. 
   
   
     12. A method of using a template to make a rafter for a roof comprising:
 providing a template, the template including,
 a U-shaped component including,
 a first arm with a slot, 
 a second arm with a slot, and 
 a base arm perpendicular to and connecting the first and second arms; 
 
 an adjustable main arm slidably connected to the first and second arms of the U-shaped component; 
 a seat rotatably connected to the base arm of the U-shaped component; 
 a ridge arm rotatably connected to a first end of the main arm; 
 a fascia arm rotatably connected to a second end of the main arm; and 
 a soffit arm slidably connected to the fascia arm; 
 
 placing the seat of the template on a wall of the building; 
 placing the ridge arm of the template against the ridge beam of a structure by adjusting the length of the adjustable main arm of the template; 
 adjusting the template to establish the width of the rafter by sliding the main arm in the U-shaped component; 
 setting the tail end of the rafter by adjusting the fascia arm of the template; and 
 setting the soffit of the rafter by adjusting the soffit arm of the template. 
 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising locking the arms of the template in place. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising leveling the template by consulting at least one level in the ridge arm, the fascia arm, the soffit arm or any combination of arms thereof. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising using the seat to determine a bird's mouth cut.